Have you got an abundance of small pots gathering dust in your shed? Why not use them? Use these pots to satisfy the desire for extra greenery in your home or garden. Small pots are great as they can fill even the smallest of living spaces. Limited room doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the joy of nurturing vibrant plant life. A small garden or lack of green space outside doesn’t mean you have to give up the dream of growing. You just need small plants for small pots.
Plants for Small Pots
Container gardening, especially with small pots, has become a popular idea for those who have smaller than average spaces – whether that’s indoors or outside. So let me share my expertise on growing in small spaces, particualry plants for small pots. When growing like this you’ll need to think about the space you have, the amount of sunlight you get and actually how much time you have to dedicate to your plants.
So whether you have a sunny balcony, a small outside space or simply just a windowsill or two, there’s a perfect plant waiting to thrive in your compact haven.
Indoor Plants for Small Pots
Here are my suggestions for indoor plants for small pots which will thrive in your home.
Snake Plants
These lovely plants are known for their resilience and air-purifying qualities. I think that snake plants are a smart choice for small pots.
Growing Conditions: As an experienced gardener, I can tell you that snake plants thrive in bright light, but they also can withstand low light conditions.
My Top Tips: I would allow the soil to dry between waterings. This makes them a good choice for plant parents who tend to forget about their plants or who travel regularly.
African Violets
One of my favourites, African Violets are so delicate and colourful. This makes them perfect plants for small pots and indoor spaces.
Growing Conditions: You’ll find that African Violets flourish in indirect light and prefer consistently moist soil.
My Top Tips: I’d suggest using a well-draining soil mix and avoiding getting water on the leaves to prevent damage.
Air Plants
These are absolutely fascinating and make for lovely housewarming gifts. They are so unique in their ability to thrive without soil. I would say that air plants are a perfect fit for small pots or unconventional containers.
Growing Conditions: These guys require bright, indirect light and occasional misting.
My Top Tips: Make sure you have good air circulation and give the plant a good soak in water every few weeks.
Chinese Money Plant
With its distinctive round leaves, the Chinese money plant is a trendy choice for small pots. I think it makes a perfect houseplant.
Growing Conditions: These little plants much prefer indirect light and well-draining soil.
My Top Tips: Rotate the plant regularly for even growth, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Maidenhair Fern
Known for its delicate, lacy foliage, maidenhair ferns add a touch of elegance to small spaces. It’s a tricky one to grow so perhaps better for the gardener who can dedicate a bit more time and love to it.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in partial shade and high humidity. It would be an ideal plant for a bathroom, wetroom or shower room.
My Top Tips: Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn. This plant will turn brown if it doesn’t like the growing conditions.
Polka Dot Plant
A good choice for brightening up a small space as it’s vibrant and eye-catching. You’ll find that the polka dot plant is perfect for adding a splash of colour to small pots.
Growing Conditions: This cheery number will flourish in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
My Top Tips: Pinch back regularly to encourage bushier growth and maintain a compact shape. Otherwise you might find it gets a bit unruly in your small pot.
Spider Plant
Quite an iconic houseplant as it has arching, spider-like leaves. You’ll find that this plant is a classic choice for small containers.
Growing Conditions: Spider plants do best in indirect light and well-draining soil.
My Top Tips: Spider plants are highly adaptable and can tolerate some neglect, making them an excellent choice for beginners. If you are likely to forget about your plant or you go away a lot, then this is one of the best plants for small pots for you.
Lucky Bamboo
Again, a Lucky Bamboo makes a lovely housewarming gift as it symbolises good luck and prosperity. Amateur growers find lucky bamboo an easy-to-care-for plant that is highly suitable for small pots.
Growing Conditions: This small plant can thrive in low light and water conditions.
My Top Tips: I’d suggest using a well-draining soil and keeping the water level consistent, changing it every two to four weeks.
String of Pearls
With its cascading strands of pearl-like leaves, the string of pearls is an eye-catching and striking choice for small pots.
Growing Conditions: A String of Pearls plant will require bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
My Top Tips: To get the best out of this plant, I would suggest allowing the soil to dry between waterings and providing adequate sunlight to allow it to grow.
Aloe Vera Plants
This is becoming more and more popular as it’s known for its soothing gel which can be extracted from the plant. Aloe Vera plants are both practical and visually appealing in small pots.
Growing Conditions: I’d suggest positioning your Aloe Vera in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
My Top Tips: You should allow the soil to dry out between waterings and avoid overwatering. This is because aloe vera is susceptible to root rot.
Outdoor Plants for Small Pots
Lavender
I love Lavender as it’s a fragrant and hardy plant. Gardeners with small spaces will find that lavender is ideal for small pots and provides beautiful purple blooms that attract pollinators.
Growing Conditions: Lavender thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. You’ll find that it prefers a sandy or loamy mix and does well in dry conditions.
My Top Tips: I’d suggest watering carefully and avoiding overwatering, as lavender dislikes soggy roots. Trim back spent flowers to encourage new growth. You’ll find that this will also help to maintain its compact shape. You can read my post about when to plant lavender for more tips.
Thyme
This aromatic herb is perfect for small containers and adds a touch of greenery while being useful in the kitchen. It also smells pretty good too.
Growing Conditions: You’ll find that Thyme prefers full sun and well-drained soil with good airflow. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in slightly dry conditions so if you are a more forgetful gardener, Thyme should do well in your pots in the garden.
My Top Tips: I’d suggest avoiding heavy watering and trimming regularly to keep it bushy. Pop your pot in a sheltered spot over winter and this will protect it from harsh winter frosts. If you like the idea of thyme, you could also plant rosemary. Here are my tips on the best soil for growing rosemary plants.
Sedum
A lovely, low-maintenance succulent. Sedum produces fleshy leaves and small star-shaped flowers that attract bees. It’s a godsend for the garden.
Growing Conditions: This plant will require you to position it in full sun. It also likes gritty, well-drained soil. It is highly drought-tolerant and prefers dry conditions.
My Top Tips: You’d be best to avoid overwatering and use a shallow pot to prevent excess moisture. Prune occasionally to prevent leggy growth.
Violas
These charming little flowers add a splash of colour to any outdoor space and are ideal for compact containers. They are very inexpensive to pick up at the garden centre and flower for ages.
Growing Conditions: You should know that Violas prefer partial to full sun and moist, well-drained soil. They are best suited to cooler temperatures.
My Top Tips: I would suggest that you attend to them with regular deadheading, as this will encourage continuous blooming. Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging.
Dwarf Daisies
A classic cottage garden favourite, dwarf daisies produce delicate flowers throughout the warmer months and make perfect outdoor plants for small pots.
Growing Conditions: Dwarf daisies will prefer full sun, but you could also position them in partial shade. They are fairly hardy and tolerate cooler temperatures – a good all-rounder.
My Top Tips: They’ll do best if you pinch off dead flowers. This will extend their blooming season. I’d suggest watering regularly, especially in dry spells, but don’t let the soil become soggy.
Erigeron
Also known as Mexican Fleabane, this daisy-like plant blooms profusely and works well in small containers or small pots.
Growing Conditions: You’ll find that this plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate drought once established.
My Top Tips: I’d suggest trimming it back after flowering to encourage fresh growth. Avoid overfeeding, as too much fertiliser can reduce flowering.
Dwarf Coreopsis
This is a lovely small, flowering plant that produces bright yellow blooms. It’s ideal for adding vibrancy to a small outdoor space or terrace.
Growing Conditions: You’ll find that this plant loves full sun and well-draining soil. It tolerates dry conditions well, so will still do well with a bit of neglect.
My Top Tips: You’ll find that if you deadhead regularly, this will prolong the flowering of this plant. Water sparingly and use a pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
Miniature Roses
Perfect for small pots, these compact roses offer classic beauty with minimal space requirements. Roses are really a classic and these are too, just in smaller form.
Growing Conditions: Roses thrive in full sun and require nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. They benefit from regular watering.
My Top Tips: Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth. You should feed with rose fertiliser during the growing season and you’ll have healthier plants.
Hardy Geraniums
Not to be confused with bedding geraniums, these tough perennials provide long-lasting colour and are easy to care for. They make a great addition as an outdoor plant for small pots.
Growing Conditions: These little guys prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established.
My Top Tips: I would recommend trimming back after flowering to encourage a second bloom. You’ll need to ensure good air circulation to prevent mildew.
Heuchera
Another great choice for small pots, Heuchera offers stunning foliage in shades of green, purple, and bronze, along with delicate flowers. They are quite stunning.
Growing Conditions: I would position them in partial shade and give them moist, well-drained soil. It is fairly hardy but benefits from protection in extreme frost.
My Top Tips: Remove old leaves in early spring to promote fresh growth. Use a light mulch in winter to protect roots from freezing.
Other Tips
I would think about what pots you have before choosing your plants. You’ll find that choosing the right containers and soil is crucial for the success of your small potted plants.
Terra cotta, plastic, and shallow pots work well for those with a limited space. I would match the pot size to the plant’s needs, starting small and repotting as the plant grows. Start smaller pots and move up to larger pots.
You’ll need to ensure all pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil and root rot. It’s a good idea to raise the pots slightly to allow excess water to escape freely. This will stop the roots sitting in water and rotting. Try not to use too much water, just a little water is often better than drowning your plants.
Generally speaking, using a well-draining potting soil with good drainage will help your plants do better. Water to your plants’ needs and watch your plants grow.
